Dr. Whitney uses her experience as a pediatrician to explain how the formula shortage points to a lack of support for women in the workplace, why women might not choose to breastfeed, and changes we need to see made in order to support women in the workplace.
Key takeaways:
Statistics on breastfeeding and formula usage:
- Per the CDC, 84% of American babies are breastfeed at birth, with that number going down to 50% at 3 months, and 25% at 6 months
- Globally, the average is 40% of babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed vs. 35% in the U.S.
- At 3 months, 73% of white children receive breast milk while 58% of black children do. At 6 months, it’s 62% of white children and less than 45% of black children. Black people and other minorities are more likely to work in low wage jobs which will be way less likely to have the luxury of paid leave, which makes them even more vulnerable to formula shortages.
- The formula shortage is affecting about â…” of the babies that are relying on formula for at least part of their nutritional needs in their first year of life
There are a number of reasons why American women would choose not to breastfeed:
- Not having paid leave. It’s extremely hard to breastfeed when you have to pump at work. It’s time consuming, it’s cumbersome, and requires a flexible schedule and privacy. And for low wage workers, those luxuries are elusive. Even as a higher paid worker, I still had to deal with stigma from colleagues about taking breaks to pump in order to consistently breastfeed. I actually had to remind my superiors about the federal laws that were in place to protect me surrounding breastfeeding at my workplace. And lower waged workers are usually not even able to have that conversation.
- If there was a lot of trauma/pain/difficulty surrounding breastfeeding, it weighs on their mental health to continue. And we don’t need to provide any guilt around that.
- Our country’s lack of support for women early on. Most women don’t have the ability to heal properly without being stressed about going back to work right away or to take the time to put in the work that it takes to get breastfeeding down successfully.
- The formula shortage brings to light all the inequities that exist way higher up in the “supply chain.” It highlights all the inequities that exist for moms in structural and social support for breastfeeding, paid leave, and even being able to leave the workplace to have a baby and not have a wage pay gap when you return (which only plays more into being able to afford formula in the first place).
- We know exactly what we need to do in order to support moms in the workplace. We need to honor and respect them and see their needs as real instead of seeing them as an inconvenience in the corporate setting. And businesses need to start seeing that when those things aren’t in place, that affects whether or not women want to stay in those positions, but also their ability to excel in their careers and to be in a place of influence and power and to have a seat at the table. When that happens, then business owners can start making decisions from a place of better representation.
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About the Episode: In this heartfelt and refreshingly honest episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney chats with Brittinie Tran, co-founder of Hot Mess Express — a women-led, volunteer-powered movement helping overwhelmed women declutter their homes and their minds. What started as a one-time cleaning rescue for a postpartum mom turned into a nationwide community of women supporting women — no judgment, no shame, just pure help. Whether your junk drawer is a metaphor or a literal disaster zone, this conversation will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even finally donate that pile of old baby clothes in your garage. Key Takeaways: 1. Asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness. Many women hesitate to reach out for help because they feel ashamed or fear they’ll be judged. Hot Mess Express flips the script by creating a safe, welcoming space where asking for support is seen as a brave and empowered decision. Most nominations come from women nominating themselves — and that’s celebrated. 2. Clutter isn’t just a mess — it’s a mental health issue. Brittinie and her team see firsthand how disorganized spaces reflect emotional overload. Whether it’s postpartum chaos, chronic illness, or simply years of survival mode, physical clutter can represent deeper stress. Decluttering often helps women breathe again — literally and emotionally. 3. Traditional cleaning services often fail to meet women’s real needs. Unlike paid cleaners who might judge, rush, or skip emotional labor, Hot Mess Express volunteers come in with empathy and without agenda. They get into the drawers. They sit beside you and help sort 300 t-shirts if needed. They cheer you on for letting go — or for choosing to keep things. It’s about support, not perfection. 4. Every woman’s story is different — and every mess matters. There’s no “messy enough” threshold. Whether it’s a single cluttered closet or an entire house that hasn’t been functional in years, no request for help is too small or too big. Some women are financially stable but emotionally exhausted. Others are navigating major life transitions without a village. All deserve dignity and support. 5. Real transformation isn’t about spotless houses — it’s about sustainability. The goal isn’t a Pinterest-perfect space. It’s helping women create systems they can maintain. That means customizing organization to how a family actually functions, not how it “should” look. And it means recognizing that life gets messy again — and that’s okay. 6. Moms need community more than ever — and it doesn’t have to cost a thing. Hot Mess Express has grown into more than a volunteer service — it’s a movement. With over 150 chapters and a growing international interest, it’s giving women a way to build local community that’s real, practical, and free. From missions to Mom’s Night Out, it’s about creating the village we’ve all been missing. 7. Shame is the real clutter. Time and again, Brittany sees that the biggest barrier to asking for help is the shame women feel for "letting it get this bad." But Hot Mess Express volunteers bring their own messy lives to the table too — reminding each other that everyone struggles. Everyone has a junk drawer. Everyone has a story. 8. Little actions create big relief. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing — clearing a kitchen counter, donating a bag of toys, making a space to read a book — that makes the biggest impact. Helping someone cook their first family meal in a year or finally take a bath without guilt? That’s life-changing. 9. Helping others helps you too. Volunteers often say they came to help others but left with a full heart, a new community, and the deep reminder that they’re not alone. Showing up for another woman — with a sponge, a trash bag, or just a smile — creates a ripple effect of connection and healing. About Our Guest: Brittinie Tran is the co-founder and national director of Hot Mess Express, a women-led, all-volunteer organization transforming lives through compassionate, judgment-free decluttering and organizing services. What started as a one-time Facebook call for help has grown into a nationwide movement with over 150 chapters in 42 states — and counting. With a heart for service and a passion for creating sustainable systems of support, Brittany helps women reclaim not just their space, but their sense of peace and self-worth. She believes every woman deserves a fresh start — no matter what her home (or her life) looks like. When she’s not coordinating missions or cheering women on as they let go of their clutter (and their shame), Brittinie is building a village — one volunteer, one conversation, and one clean kitchen at a time. 👉 Learn more or get involved at hotmessexpress.co 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. L eave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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